eli5 why do we wake up from deep sleep to pee but don’t actually wet the bed ?
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Your brain generally just gets a signal from the nerves in the bladder, that the bladder is full, and then your brain just connects neurons to give you the wake up signal.
People who are bed wetters have a sleep disorder. Its called Nocturnal Enuresis, when a person wets themselves at night, and its way more common than people think.
Theres a genetic predisposition to it also, and people who have two parents who had nocturnal enuresis, are much more likely to have it as well. Even having just one parent who had the sleep disorder until they were 12-17, has a high likelihood of having it also. The brain just doesnt get or give the signals, is all. You sleep right through it all until morning and wake up wet and feeling gross.
I had this disorder, until I was about idk 15 or 16, and my first husband had it until he died. My dad had it, grandpa had it. Sister had it. Son has it.
Its not always easy to treat..and it can lead to abuse and bullying if the people around you smell it in your room or you have a sleepover and wet. Thats primarily why its embarassing and a source of anxiety. Oh and it TRULY sucks how many serial killers or abusive types are touted as possibly being childhood bed wetters. Sorry but NO. Its just a sleep disorder. Some people do get some bullying over it, but it seems that as a whole, we are supportive and just nonchalant about it.
Anyways. Yeah its just brain signals, first from the bladder, then the brain gives you the wake up signal.
Edit: So many sudden likes, and I feel like my tribe has spoken. Thank you, tribe. 🙂
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